The world knew him as the second oldest man alive, but to James Sisnett’s children, he was simply “a very good father”.
Sisnett passed away yesterday, three months after celebrating his 113th birthday with five generations of his offspring, many of whom had flown to Barbados from different parts of the globe for the occasion.
His eldest son Desmond told the WEEKEND NATION: “He was a very good father. I will always miss him.”
Another son, Lindsay, said: “At that age you expect he will pass some time, but he will still be missed.”
Lindsay said he would be remembered as a father who “could always give you a good word of advice”, someone to whom “you could always turn because you knew he would tell you something wise.”
Sisnett’s youngest child Francis, a sergeant with the Royal Barbados Police Force, said he was “saddened” by his father’s passing.
“My father was a strict man and a good disciplinarian who loved the church. He also loved his children, his grandchildren and the great-grands and enjoyed having them around him.”
Francis Sisnett also remembered a hardworking father who impressed on his children the value of education. He said they in turn honoured his vision by excelling in their various professions, with the family now boasting seven doctors in three generations as well as a number of educators.
James Sisnett was married in 1923 and had five children with his first wife who died in 1937. He remarried in 1942 and had six children with his second wife. Two of the children pre-deceased him.
Those surviving are Everine, Desmond, Lauretta, Esther, Vincent, Lindsay, Barbara, Michael and Francis, four of them living in Barbados.
Trained as a blacksmith, Sisnett spent most of his life working as a sugar factory engineer before retiring in 1970.
His granddaughter Marietta Carter-Narcisse, a Hollywood make-up artist, yesterday wrote in a Facebook tribute to her grandfather, “granddaddy we are going to miss you so much . . . you lived a great life. To God be the glory. Soar with the angels. I can’t even think of all the things that you have seen happen in your lifetime.”
The Government of Barbados had earlier honoured Sisnett, naming the Ellerton St George road where he had lived for many years, James Sisnett Road. (GC)
